Structural shape



June 5, 1923. 1,457,303

' T. HIGGINS STRUCTURAL SHAPE Filed Feb. 18. 1922 formed from flat metal plates having the Patented .lune 5, 1923.

UNITED 'SATS THOMAS HIGGINS, 0F GLENSHVAW, PENNYSLVANIA.

STRUCTURAL SlT-'l' APE,

Application filed February To all whom it may concem:

.Be it known that I, .THOMAS HIGGINS, a`

a citizen of the United States, and resident of Glenshaw, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have Ainvented certain new and useful Improvements in Structural Shapes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to metal shapes, such as vI-.beams and channels, and more particularly to beams of this class made from rolled metal plates, and has for one of its objects the provision of light weight shapes of this .class particularly adapted for use in buildings as studding, joists, and the like.

Another object is to provide shapes formed from fiat metal lates that will have fianges of double thic ess and webs of single thickness, thus providing a rigid construction of comparatively light weight.

A further object is to provide shapes formed from flat metal plates in which the edges of the plates are locked against displacement.

A- still further object is to provide shapes novel constructions described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawin s.

In the drawings, igure 1 is an end elevation of an I-beam constructed in accordance'with this invention.

Figure 2. is an end elevation of an I-beam constructed n accordance with this invention, in which the web `overlies and locks the edges of the plate.

Figure 3 is an end elevation of a channel beam constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 4 is an end elevation of a channel beam constructed in accordance with this invention, in which the web overlies and locks the edges of the plate.

Referring more a'rticularl to Figure 1 of the drawings, t e numera 2 designates the web of' the I-beam which is of sin le thickness of plate, and the numeral 3 esignates the flanges of the beam.

The beam is formed from a iiat rolled metal plate by bending the., portions 4 vof the plate parallelin both longitudinal edges back upon the p ate, then again bending the intervening portion of the plate upon itself paralleling the previously doubled portions, and then bending the late at right angles at a point on a line wit the 18, "1922. Serial No. 537,491,

longitudinal edges, of the portions 4 so as to form the web 2, so that the web portion when bent will project slightly over the edge of the portions 4 as at 5, and thus serve to lock the edges -in position.

Inv Figure 2 a beam is shown which is formed precisely the same as the beam of Figure 1, with the exception that the web 3 is bent at right angles from a point beyond the edges of the portions 4, and thereby overlies the edgesof the plate as at 6, forming a more secure lock for the edges of the ortions 4.

In 1gures 3 and 4 I have shown a channel beam having flanges 7 of double thickness and a web 8 of single thickness. These 'channel beams, like the I-beams of Figures 1 and 2, are formed from a fiat rolled metal plate by first bending or doubling the portions 9 paralleling both of the longitudinal edges back upon the plate, then bending the portions of double thickness at right angles to the plane of the plate so that the edges 10 of the plate abut the single thickness of plate remaining which forms the web 8.

The beam of Figure 4 in addition tothe above features, has the web portion offset or. bent inwardly at 11 so as to overlie and engage the edges of the portions 9, thus firmly locking these edges against displacement..

It will be readily seen that structural shapes having the above novel features of construction will be light in weight, cheap to manufacture. and have a great utility in replacing wooden studding and joists in buildings.

While I have shown only I-beams and channel beams in the drawings, it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited either to the exact constructions nor to the particular shapes shown, since modifications that may be made without departing from the scope of my invention will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

1. A metallic beam formed from a single fiat rolled plate, comprising a web portion of single thickness and anges 'of double thickness Aof said plate, said web port-ion overlying and locking the edges of the plate.

2. A. metallic I-beam formed from a single flat rolled plate, comprising a web portion of single thickness and ian es ofl double thickness of said plate, said we portion overlying and locking the edges of the late. p 3. A metallic beam formed from a single flat rolled plate, comprising a web portion 5 of single thickness and anges 4of double thickness of said plate, said anges extendin at right angles to said web, and said We portion being bent inwardly so as to overlie and engage the edges of said plate 1o to lock them against displacement.

4. A metallic I-beam formed from a single flat rolled plate, comprising a web portion of single thickness and -langes of double thickness of said plate, said anges extending at right angles to said web portion, and said web portion being bent inwardly so as to overlie and engage the edges of said plate to lockthem against displacement.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

THOMAS HIGGINS. 

